A few days ago I was talking with a few friends (ok a coworker and a customer… but ultimately friends 😉 ) and an interesting topic came up. STUFF! No I don’t mean to be vague… you know exactly what I’m talking about! Let me explain… one friend (the customer) was explaining how he had recently started parring down his ex-wives things and how he was astounded by how much STUFF she had! What on earth did females do with so much stuff? (I can hear the sound of every man on the planet simultaneously nodding in agreement) (you boogers!) I never understood the accumulation of stuff… but I know that I have it… and that I love it! Doesn’t everyone? The times in my life where I have been without my stuff (stuffless if you will) I have been extremely sad… I can remember wailing to my husband “… but I miss my stuff!”
My friend (the coworker) is currently living in a trailer with her hubby while they build their new home (it’s going to be gorgeous! Maybe I can convince her to do a home tour on the blog when it’s done… she just bought a set of antique yellow tufted bar stools that are amazing!) The amount of “stuff” you can fit in a trailer is not anywhere near the amount of stuff I am sure she possesses… in the short time I have known her she has mentioned many a yard sale and flea market! She articulated quite eloquently to Don (the customer) that women “just need their stuff” and I wholeheartedly agree! I may have left out a comment or two about how much she misses her potato peeler and brown shoes… but you get the point!
We all have a certain set of things that make us feel at home… that may be a potato peeler and brown shoes and it may be a stuff-less house with the bare essential and everything in it’s place. After moving quite often (once a year growing up!) I feel like I have gone through this transitional “it doesn’t feel like home… where’s my stuff!” phase more than the average person! So here are my tips to avoid the potato-peeler depression and make anywhere feel like home!
Pick your favorite things!
Pack those in a box or bag that is clearly labeled and unpack those first! Whether it’s a short trip away for the weekend or your moving into a new house having your favorite things near by will make you feel right at home! When I was little and moving so often even the act of staying in a hotel for a night was difficult for me… I didn’t sleep well in any bed but my own! In order to make it easier I would bring a few of my favorite pieces of home… things like a favorite photograph, my own pillow and blanket, and a favorite book to read before bed (and take my mind off the whole thing!) I still prefer to bring my own pillow and blanket with me… even though I do better in hotels it definitely makes it feel more homey! When I’m packing for a longer trip (like a move) I make sure to pack things that I usually have around my bed: my diaries, an Indian Elephant box that was my Great Grandma’s, picture frames etc. Even if the whole house isn’t unpacked having a little area of calm will help your world to feel more homey.
Have an unpacking party!
A lot of people ask for help packing and moving the boxes to your new home and as someone who just moved I know EXACTLY how important that is! I also know that unpacking by yourself can be a long, hard depressing road. Especially if you’re someone like me who gets more and more depressed the longer there are boxes in. your. house. Ask a couple really close girlfriends over a week or two after the move for an unpacking party! Not only will you get a ton finished but it’s so much fun! I’ve been on both sides of this type of party since my friends and I have moved so much in the past few years… it has been just as much fun to assemble bookcases and unpack salt shakers at my friends house as it was to unpack bookcases at my last apartment! The best part? You get to see things from a different perspective… and perhaps see your belongings in a way you never imagined! When I moved into my very first apartment one of my very best friends spent a million hours helping me unpack (ok just a teeny exaggeration) and she styled my bookcase in a way I had never thought too before! It was eye opening and I absolutely loved it… but I would have never decided to put my books in that configuration if my friend had gone home for the day!
Label your boxes clearly!
For over a year my hubby lived in his tiny one bedroom, one bathroom apartment… and most of my pretty stuff was in storage. I don’t know how many times a week we had to say “I better go dig through the storage unit for that”… a well organized storage unit is the in-betweeners best friend! Even now with our recent move well labeled boxes come in handy. While the kitchen is now unpacked along with the bedroom and 3/4ths of the living room we still have 4 rooms (ok 3 rooms and the little laundry room off the back) that are very NOT UNPACKED! Which would be fine if all of the boxes were in the right room. They aren’t. Which means that while the kitchen is unpacked we are still missing a couple boxes… ok we’re missing the box with our pots and pans… and silverware. Luckily we found my old skillet and pot from college (or we would really be up a creek without a paddle!) but we had to break down and purchase a box of plastic silverware! Yikes!
Pack your bedding in one box!
When you label your boxes make sure to have one clearly marked “SHEETS” or “BLANKETS” or “STUFF I NEED FOR MY BED!” Pick whichever label you like but the point is to pack your bedding in one box and know exactly where it is. Having your bed properly made with your entire bedset (sheets, blankets, quilt, comforter, pillows, shams, decorative pillows, bed skirt) the whole she-bang can really go a long way towards making it feel like home. After the first box is labeled make a second box labeled “PARTS” and then put all the parts in it! Bolts from the bed, screws to the TV stand, cable for the wi-fi… anything that’s a little part! Then when you get to the new house and sit down to watch your TV on the floor because you don’t have furniture yet you won’t have to go searching through boxes to find the remote… it will be right there in the part box!
4 Tips to Make Anywhere Feel Like Home!
- Pick your favorite things!
- Have an unpacking party!
- Label your boxes clearly!
- Pack your bedding in one box!
So that’s it! Not exactly earth shattering (I know!) but guess what? It works! So what about you… are you a stuff gal like me and Mrs. Beverly? Or are you a minimalist like Don? Is this a man vs woman thing? Sound off in the comments… I’d love to know what you’re thinking!
Sara Strand says
Oh man, I am the packing and unpacking QUEEN. I got our whole house unpacked and in full order in two days. That’s after I got an entire house packed in one day. I got up early and went to town! When we moved to our current house, it was one week before we were going on a week long family vacation and I was adamant I was not going to go on vacation with stuff in boxes or not in order. By the time vacation time came, I had EARNED IT. HAHA!
Olivia Youngs says
These are great tips! I’m constantly amazed at how much “stuff” we have too….I think getting in the habit of pairing down your things is super healthy. I’m trying to get better at it!
Rene D says
When I met my Canadian husband and decided to move from US to Canada, I was only able to bring my most cherished stuff. I kept photos, hand made blankets and only things that had meaning. I realized then that all the “stuff” I had didn’t mean much because I was able to get rid of SO much. My most treasured things were photos – something I could never replace with all the money in the world 🙂
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
That is such a good point Rene! The hubby and I are thinking of moving overseas at some point in our lives… And we would only be able to bring so much stuff! The stuff isn’t necessary but boy do I like it! Haha! Thanks for stopping by!
Kelsie says
These are great tips. I love the packing party idea. Thanks for sharing!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Packing parties are the best! Thanks for stopping by!
Marissa says
Great tips… yes we moved recently and with three kids there was a lot of stuff that was important…. they each put together a box of their favs which helped because we opened those right away. And the necessities boxes made my life so much easier!
It’s amazing how a little planning can make the unpacking process easier and home come together so much faster
Marissa
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
With three kids I can see how that would be a lot of important stuff! It’s a great idea to get them involved! Thanks for stopping by Marissa!
Cori says
For me, because I write a lot (journaling, stories, etc.), to feel at home someplace, even in a hotel room, I need a table that can become my writing space. And that space can only be writing space. When I have to share that space, I get twitchy.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
I completely get that! I can never get comfortable writing in a hotel room! The desk is to hard, the bed is weird…. the chair doesn’t have a good angle… it never works! Thanks for stopping by Cori!
Nichole aka CuppaGeek says
Love all of your pictures! I need to carve out a spot of my own like this one day.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks hon, you’re so sweet! Stop by anytime… can’t wait to see what you do with your own spot one day!
Leslie Wilkie says
I love these tips. I’m lucky enough to be one of the few people who’ve not had to move a lot but I believe that less is more, kind of. I do love my stuff and as long as I have a place for it, I keep it. If not then it goes. I go through phases where I clean out my things. Sometimes the mood strikes and I go nuts. My fiancee, on the other hand, wants to keep everything. He’s getting much better about letting stuff go, like the broken t.v. that was just crammed in the closet. Why?! Why do we need a t.v. that doesn’t work?
If it no longer serves a purpose it’s out. That’s my motto.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks for stopping by Leslie! I admit I tend to be more of a hoarder like your hubby… although even I wouldn’t keep a broken TV! I tend to go through and thin down my belongings… and then the things I don’t love sit in the back room! I’m not good at getting rid of them!
Chelsea says
I love that bedspread so much!!! And the chic, simplicity of this.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks hon… that’s so sweet! I loved the bedspread too… I thought i wanted pattern but this is the only one I liked! Thanks for stopping by Chelsea!
Valerie says
Great tips! I like to unpack after a trip right away. We haven’t moved a lot, but we have a ton of stuff. My husband likes to “keep” things and I like to clear clutter out!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
It seems like there’s always one of each in every relationship… or at least you hope there is! When you get two “keepers” you end up with an episode of hoarders! Haha! Thanks for stopping by Valerie!
chelsea says
Awesome Tips! I am in a small 2 bedroom duplex and it has never felt like home for me.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
It’s hard sometimes to make standard apartment fit your style… but you’ll get there! Surround yourself with things you love and it will feel like home in no time!
Cole says
These are really great tips! I get homesick really easy, but having some of my favourite things and my own pillow do help.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Having my favorite pillow is my number one trick! It always makes me feel better! Thanks for stopping by Cole!
Megan Gonzalez says
I love how coordinated all your things are. It’s so awesome! And I agree. I like my stuff. It makes the place feel homey. I always bring my books with me where ever I go. It may be an abbreviated set of them, but even when I moved to Mexico via a plane I took a bunch of my favorites. They make me feel like the space is mine.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks Megan… I’m so glad you think it’s coordinated! Haha! I just surround myself with things I love and it seems to go together! Very high tech answer! Thanks so much for stopping by Megan!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
Your house/room is so homey! We move every few years because of my husband’s career in the military so I purge a lot, which can be good but also stressful! I love your tips!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Thanks Chrisssa… you’re such a sweetheart! I grew up as an army brat and we always had tons of stuff! Haha… my mom is an expert mover! Thanks for stopping by!
Fabiola says
Wow, what a great post! I love your tips! I’ve moved around a lot too, and I’ve become quite skilled at it, so I know what you mean when you say that the first thing you have to consider are your favorite things. Every time we have to move, I put those things in a box that I carry with me in the car, not in the moving van, so I can set up my own little corner as soon as possible. That really makes all the difference!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
You know exactly how it is! It’s crazy how just a couple things can make all the difference! Thanks for stopping by Fabiola!
jill conyers says
Every time we move I make our house a home with photos and things with personal meaning and not just for the sake of having things. Then, it feels like home.
Jen says
We moved this summer, and while we don’t have a ton of unpacking left to do, there is still some unpacking to do…and organizing. My office is a wreck right now and it drives me slightly batty. Need to fix it. My mother-in-law was a huge help in getting everything settled and homey. She’s still helping 😉 I’m kinda excited to see what she is going to bring with her this weekend when she comes 😉
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Mom’s are always a huge help! We moved this summer as well and while we have the main rooms figured out the back rooms are still a mess… grrr. Thanks for stopping by Jen!
Megan @ A Dash of Megnut says
I love the idea of an unpacking party! That way its fun and I won’t let the boxes sit for 3 months before they’re finally unpacked lol
Amanda Rinehart says
Us women sure do have a lot of stuff! I think it’s because the beauty/home making/crafting industries target us… and dang are they good at their job! lol. I used move a lot growing up too! That helped keep my “stuff” to a minimum…but now that I own a home… I’m swimming in it!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Swimming in it… that’s a great way to put it! I feel like we are definitely swimming in stuff over here! That’s ok though… i like my stuff! haha! Thanks for stopping by Amanda!
Cathy says
Love these great tips!! You moved once a year growing up?!? I can’t even imagine what that would be like! 🙂
Cathy
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
At least once a year! Everyone thought it was crazy but honestly you get use to it… plus I thought about it once and most of the bases we were on were high turnover. So everyone was moving somewhere at the end of each year… even if we had stayed I would have had to make all new friends! Might as well move somewhere new! Thanks for stopping by Cathy!
Joy says
These are great tips! I haven’t really moved much in my life and always wonder how I’m going to handle my next move as it will probably be my first “real” move. I lived in the same house from three on until I got married, and have switched apartments only once and that was just across the parking lot to an apartment with another room after we had a baby. We have so much more now then we did when we first married, and walking things across the parking lot is not exactly a move. I’ll have to keep these tips in mind when we finally are able to move somewhere else!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Just remember it’s hella hard and every time you move you’ll swear it’s the last time… and then you’ll do it again! It’s always worse during the move then after the move! Haha! Good luck… I’m sure you’ll do fine! Thanks so much for stopping by Joy!
Molly says
I’m definitely a stuff person. I miss my stuff! It’s been packed away in storage for almost 3 years while I’m staying with my brother. Sometimes I just go visit my stuff…I know, sounds weird. But there is an emotional attachment to our stuff that some people just don’t understand. And I’ve lost a lot of stuff over the years, so I guess I try to hang onto what I can more so now.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
3 years? That’s the worst! I only had to do it for two and it was hard! I don’t think you’re weird at all.. a lot of my stuff was out in my mom’s barn when we were living in an apartment and whenever I could come to visit I would just go sit among my boxes for a while. Makes you feel better just knowing it’s still there waiting for you! Thanks for stopping by Molly!
Natasha says
Great tips! I’ve yet to do this for fear of it being overwhelming or not doing enough. Must get over that.
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Sometimes the mere thought of starting is overwhelming… I totally get that! Just start… it will get easier as you go and you will be so much happier once you live in a familiar comfortable place! Thanks for stopping by Natasha!
Kristi says
What a great idea to have an unpacking party! I would probably go back and rearrange what other people had put away but still what fun to have it all done quickly with people you love!!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
If you’re particular about where your things are you can always use the strategy of friends and family unpacking boxes while you put things away… that works with my hubby and I! Of course it depends on your friends… I have several that I know decorate just like I would and several that aren’t creative at all and would be great un-packers! Plus we have a great time doing both! Thanks for stopping by Kristi!
Allison Waken says
Great tips! I love the packing party idea and YES to packing your bedding together. It is NOT fun searching for pillowcases late at night after moving all day!
Happily Ever After, Etc. says
Amen! Those are the nights I end up sleeping on the floor with a packing blanket… Not fun! Thanks for stopping by!